Fútnotes, Volume 41

México defeated Chile to bring home the gold medal in the Pan American Games. While this is certainly something to be celebrated for México, it’s laid bare the troubles at the Chilean Federation for the world to see. After Chile beat the United States U19s, Christiane Endler announced her retirement and returned to Olympique Lyonnais (FIFA). With Endler retiring and backup goalkeeper Antonia Canales also leaving the squad to return to play Valencia (Inside The Game), Chile was forced to start Colo-Colo striker María José Urrutia in goal for the match (AP).

The Chilean players protested, sitting on the pitch at the start of the match, and after released a statement through ANJUFF, the National Association of Women’s Footballers, decrying the situation and demanding change (ANJUFF). The statement also supported the players who left to return to their professional teams and coach Luis Mena as well, focusing their ire squarely on the federation.

Hopefully this is the wakeup call that the Chilean Federation needs to start taking its women’s program seriously. For far too long, Chile has ridden Endler’s success to paper over the issues its had with their women’s program, but they’ll have that cover no more. There can be no more excuses. If having the best player to ever play for your country retire from international play at 32 and the players sit down to start a gold medal match isn’t going to spur any action, then frankly nothing will.

México

Liga MX Femenil’s 2023 Apertura regular season is all done, save for the final match between Querétaro and Mazatlán, neither of whom can make the Liguilla. Tigres has won the superlíder, and unless Fabiola Santamaria scores 11 in that game, the Golden Boot will be shared by Maricarmen Reyes and Licha Cervantes, who each scored 15 on the season. (Liga MX Femenil)

Atlas’ Susan Bejarano ruptured her ACL on her left knee. (Atlas)

Jenni Hermoso returned to the Spanish National Team, scoring a goal against Italy during UEFA Women’s Nations League play. (Tuzos)

Bianca Sierra and Stephany Mayor talked at length about their relationship and becoming mothers. (Tigres)

Rachael Kriger of The Equalizer did a great interview with Maricarmen Reyes. (Possible paywall)

México National Team and Angel City FC forward Katie Johnson did an episode for ACFC’s Finding New Roads segment to talk about her path from playing college soccer at USC to ACFC. (Angel City FC via Twitter)

Thank you for reading Golazo del Gringo! If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it with anyone who enjoys women’s soccer.

Rest of the World

Aitana Bonmatí won the Ballon d’Or. (AP)

That said, the award presentation left a lot to be desired for, especially with regards to the women’s award. (Pro Soccer Wire)

Soccermusings had a fantastic article about Maria Khan’s journey through soccer, from playing at the University of Denver to joining the Pakistan National Team and making her pro debut at 32 for Eastern Flames FC in Saudi Arabia.

England defender Alex Greenwood went off during the match with Belgium due to a nasty head injury. (BBC)

Chelsea’s Fran Kirby talked about her injury in a really good documentary from the club.

Speaking of Chelsea, Emma Hayes will end her tenure at the end of the season to take the US Women’s National Team job. (The Athletic - possible paywall)

Speaking of Emma Hayes taking the US job, Jessy Parker Humphreys wrote about what she has done with Chelsea. (The Athletic - possible paywall)

Germany fired Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, who had been their Women’s National Team coach for five years. (The Equalizer - possible paywall)

Luis Rubiales is banned from football for three years. lol bye (The Guardian)

This is an excellent primer around the NWSL Expansion Draft from Squad Depth.

Angel City FC removed the interim tag from head coach Becki Tweed. (Angel City FC)

The Washington Spirit announced a coaching mentorship class for women. (Washington Spirit)

The Female Stats is a site that is dedicated to providing stats on women’s soccer and run by a good friend of mine Ivonne Val-Nav. Definitely check the site out if stats are your thing. (The Female Stats)

Brighton and Hove Albion has received permission from the city council to build a ground devoted solely to their women’s team, the first of its kind in England. (The Guardian) 

Don’t ever let them tell you no one pays attention to women’s soccer.

If you have something that should be included in this segment, please reach out to me via twitter or email me at [email protected].